REVEALED: AUSTRALIA’S FITTEST CITIES....AND THOSE THAT LAG BEHIND

As Australians commit to health and fitness goals in the New Year, new research reveals which cities are leading the nation in physical well-being and which are lagging.

The study by Net World Sports analysed the latest health data, activity participation rates, online search behaviour and environmental factors to rank Australia’s fittest and least fit cities, uncovering surprising regional standouts and stark lifestyle contrasts across the country.

Darwin tops the national fitness rankings

The Northern Territory capital, Darwin, has been named Australia’s fittest city, achieving strong results across multiple health indicators.

Nearly four in five residents exercise at least once a week, while fewer than two per cent rate their health as poor, contributing to an overall fitness score of 68.6 out of 100.

Darwin’s performance highlights the role lifestyle and climate can play in encouraging outdoor activity, with participation levels well above national averages.

The city also scored strongly in long-term health condition metrics and general fitness participation, reinforcing its position as the national leader.

Melbourne and Busselton emerge as strong contenders

Melbourne ranked second nationally with a fitness score of 68 out of 100, supported by high participation rates and strong engagement in health research and fitness activities.

The study found that 71.8 per cent of Melbourne residents exercise weekly, and that there is significant interest in diet and exercise information, with 30.4 related searches per 1,000 people.

Recording a 73.2 per cent exercise participation rate, the regional coastal destination of Busselton also recorded the second-highest national search interest in fitness and health, achieving the highest overall score in the diet and exercise interest category.

Sydney and Canberra round out the top five

Sydney secured fourth place with a fitness score of 63.6, performing particularly well in fitness participation and long-term health condition metrics.

Meanwhile, Canberra-Queanbeyan ranked fifth, benefiting from high participation in fitness activities and consistent engagement in exercise and well-being activities.

Other high-performing cities included Warrnambool, Geelong, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Bathurst, highlighting a strong presence of regional centres within the national top 10.

Many of these locations scored highly due to environmental advantages, strong local fitness communities and growing interest in informal exercise activities such as run clubs.

Victor Harbour–Goolwa is Australia’s least fit region

At the opposite end of the spectrum, South Australia’s Victor Harbour–Goolwa ranked as the country’s least fit city, recording a fitness score of just 31.2 out of 100.

Only 11.3 per cent of residents meet recommended physical activity targets, while the region records the highest rates of heart disease nationally at 3.6 per cent. The research also found that almost three-quarters of residents are overweight.

The study suggests demographic and infrastructure challenges contribute significantly to these outcomes, including an older population, dispersed communities and limited access to recreational facilities.

Queensland faces growing health challenges.

Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Ballarat were also identified among Australia’s least fit cities.

Hervey Bay shares the highest national rate of heart disease with Victor Harbour–Goolwa, while also recording high rates of lung conditions at three per cent, highlighting ongoing long-term health concerns despite some positive lifestyle habits.

Bundaberg faces structural challenges, including an abundance of fast-food options and limited gym availability, which can make maintaining regular fitness routines more difficult.

Ballarat’s ranking is largely attributed to accessibility issues, with the city recording just 2.5 gyms per 100,000 residents, significantly limiting opportunities for structured exercise.

Regional disparities shaping national fitness trends.

The findings highlight a widening health divide across Australian regions, with access to facilities, environmental conditions, and local fitness culture influencing activity levels.

While several regional cities perform strongly due to lifestyle advantages and community engagement, others continue to face barriers related to infrastructure and demographics.

As Australians place greater emphasis on preventive health and active living, research provides insight into how location, accessibility, and community infrastructure may shape future trends in national well-being.